STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: 123rd Birth Anniversary of Brig Rajinder Singh, MVC, ‘The Saviour of Kashmir’ was celebrated with great fervour by J&K Ex Services League and Army on Tuesday at Rajinder Chowk Jammu.
Lt Gen Rakesh Kumar Sharma, AVSM,SM,(Retd), President J&K Ex Services League and Lt Col Dhillon of JAKRIF laid wreaths and paid rich tribute to the Great Dogra Warrior. The function was attended by numerous Army Soldiers & Ex Servicemen of Jammu.
Gen Sharma said that the ‘Balidan’ made by Brig Rajinder Singh, MVC and his brave 100 Dogra Soldiers saved our State from the nefarious designs of Pakistan & British to annex J&K during Partition (1947). His steadfastness, chivalry & ultimately Supreme sacrifice delayed the Pak Army & Raiders along Muzzafrabad- Srinagar for crucial four days (23 to 26 Oct 1947), giving time to Maharaja Hari Singh Ji to sign the Instrument of Accession with India and facilitate landing of Indian Army at Srinagar Airfield which ultimately saved the State. He remembered the Iconic order of Maharaja Hari Singh to Brig Rajinder Singh, MVC ie Last Man Last Round.
He further said that for this act of exceptional bravery & service before self , Brig Rajinder Singh was awarded the First Maha Vir Chakra of Independent India. But for this BRAVE act, the Fate of J&K and map of India would have been different.
We owe our Freedom to him. He requested the President & Prime Minister to kindly upgrade his Gallantry Award from MVC to PVC.
He also said that it is a pity that this Rajinder Chowk which was sanctioned by the Govt with great efforts of J&K Ex Services League and Maj Gen Goverdhan Singh Jamwal (the Lion of J&K) is not being maintained by the State Administration. Funds & Manpower should be allotted by the Govt. Further, no representative of Civil Administration joined in to pay tributes to the Hero. He said that Brig Rajinder Singh is a Role Model to the Youth for Nationalism, Patriotism & Sacrifice. A country which does not aptly honour its Fallen Soldier Heros is putting its Freedom at stake.
